Democrats are looking to flip the U.S. Senate in November. One tantalizing target is in Maine, where current Senator Susan Collins has supported Trump policies at well over 90 percent in his second term, but has had the temerity to oppose Trump on a couple of pet projects. So, understandably Trump does not like her.
Democratic leaders scoured the entire state of Maine, performed an exhaustive search of 1.1 million Maine voters in search of a quality candidate that could take down Collins and flip one of the four seats they need to regain the Senate majority. The two leading candidates were Janet Mills, the 78-year-old governor of the state, and Graham Platner, an ex-marine, oyster farmer. Mills suspended her campaign, after lagging in the polls and running low on campaign funds.
So, congrats to Graham Platner who is now the Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate seat in Maine, securing more than 70 percent of the primary vote. He will face off against Collins, in November and Democrats claim to be optimistic.
Remember when political parties groomed candidates for high-level government positions? Sure, there were some stinkers in the past, but they at least tried to find qualified candidates.
The parties recruited community leaders, policy experts, respected businesspeople, and governors to run for Senate. People ran on policies, they touted their integrity and promised to represent the will of their voters. They ran on reputation.
They still do. Regrettably, Graham Platner’s reputation includes a series of controversies including offensive online posts, questions about past personal conduct, including volatile and intimidating behavior toward women he dated, drinking problems, homophobic social media posts, a tattoo linked to Nazi imagery, and exchanging sexually explicit text messages with multiple women after marrying his wife in 2023.
Kellyanne Conway weighed in with, “Is there a magic number in the scandelabra that would make you stop? Would it have to do with Nazis or putting upon women, perhaps underage women, but definitely women, not your wife of two years?” Come on Kellyanne, there has been no mention of underage girls with Platner; you don’t need to resort to alternative facts when the facts alone would suffice.
Platner has disputed some of the more serious claims, but has admitted to past indiscretions, although 2023 doesn’t seem that far past.
That’s the guy; the best guy in the entire state of Maine, to run for the U.S. Senate for Democrats. Congratulations, Dems. Maybe Trump was right when he so cleverly took the “b” off dumb to coin a new term for your party.
Meanwhile, Republicans, who are desperately trying to hold on to the Senate, searched 18+ million registered voters in Texas to find a great candidate. They came up with Ken Paxton.
President Trump, upset with incumbent Senator John Cornyn even though Cornyn tried to name a Texas Highway after him, backed Texas Attorney General, Ken Paxton in the primary. Paxton, a guy completely devoted to Trump, went on to win the primary, putting him on the ballot for November.
Let’s check Paxton’s reputation. He was impeached on allegations including abuse of office, bribery, and obstruction. He was indicted in 2015 on felony securities fraud charges, tied to promoting a tech company without disclosing compensation he allegedly received. Eight senior aides in his office reported Paxton to the FBI in 2020, alleging misuse of office, and retaliation for reporting him.
He was accused of using his government position to benefit a Texas developer in exchange for favors involving home renovations and employment assistance connected to Paxton’s personal life.
Paxton has been accused of multiple extramarital affairs before his divorce, which is especially damaging since Paxton brands himself as a social conservative and evangelical Republican.
That’s their guy in Texas. No better option was available. He was the best that Trump liked.
After losing the primary, Cornyn, who had labeled Paxton an “albatross around the neck” of the GOP ticket and a “flawed, self-centered and shameless candidate,” promised to vote for him anyway. Wow, that’s politics today – if it’s MY party, I’ll vote for the “flawed, self-centered, shameless candidate.”
And now the great American tradition will continue, with each party insisting the other has nominated the worst candidate imaginable while simultaneously nominating someone who makes all of us question, “Is that really the best we can do?”
The modern political campaign no longer focuses on issues. Instead, supporters rush to social media and cable television to view ridiculous accusations invented by partisan hacks or A.I. But today, you don’t need to invent. Alternative facts aren’t necessary with these guys.
We’re trapped in a national game of Candidate Chicken. Republicans nominate a ridiculous candidate and dare Democrats to do worse. Challenge accepted.
America has qualified people to do these jobs. We must have people available who have somehow navigated their lives without felony convictions, sexual abuse charges, or fraud and ethics scandals. It’s just that we don’t seem to care anymore. Integrity, ethics, and class are now outweighed by a social media presence, no matter the quality of that presence.
Both parties reward candidates who generate attention rather than confidence. The result is a new political process where being controversial, famous, or notorious triumphs over being qualified.
One side points at the other nominee and shouts, “Can you believe that guy?” The other side responds with, “Oh yeah, what about YOUR guy?”
And America might respond, “Why are you giving us either guy?” Or more likely, “Our guy must be OK, but that OTHER guy is really corrupt. I saw it online.” Do some actual research, folks.
In a nation of 340 million people, we ought to be able to do better.
Curt MacRae is a resident of Coldwater, MI and publishes opinion columns regularly.
To be notified by email when a column is published, or to offer feedback: rantsbymac@gmail.com
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